Georgia-UK Wardrop dialogue hails better trade-economic ties

Georgian top officials have arrived in the UK to attend the Georgia-UK fourth session of dialogue, known as the Wardrop Dialogue, created to enhance ties between the two nations.

The Dialogue was opened today in London by Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas.

The minister stressed that Georgia and the UK could further enhance trade-economic relations.

We should ensure better bilateral cooperation with Georgia and trade relations is an important component of this cooperation,” Duncan said.

In his opening remarks the minister stated Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity "has been compromised by another state”.

.@AlanDuncanMP: #Britain& #Georgia have strong friendship founded on historic ties,shared values&common interests #WardropStratDialogue2017pic.twitter.com/NCYs2sx34X

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) 23 October 2017

The British government will always be behind you to support your territorial integrity,” he stated.

Georgia's Ambassador to the UK Tamar Beruchashvili tweeted.

Duncan underscored "common values” with Georgia and reiterated UK’s support to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze thanked the UK for its support to Georgia and spoke about the challenges the country and people are facing because of the occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions by Russia.

Janelidze stated despite the territorial challenges Georgia was committed to European values and reforms.

"Wardrop Strategic Dialogue covers a wide spectrum of cooperation in virtually all areas"-FM @JanelidzeMkh#GEO#WardropStratDialogue2017pic.twitter.com/IW8mZN4Xzn

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) 23 October 2017

The minister recalled EBRD president’s words about Georgia’s economic potential and success.

Within the dialogue today a cooperation memorandum is scheduled to be signed.

Georgian Foreign Minister will hold meetings with Boris Johnson, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mark Pritchard, UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy, Greg Hands, Minister of State in the Department for International Trade, Jonathan Djanogly, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Georgia and other members of the group.

A roundtable with representatives of the British business communities will also be held.

Janelidze will visit the Office of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in London where the Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Jon Benjamin, will offer his presentation on the concept of the academy.

• Wardrop Strategic Dialogue is named after Sir Oliver Wardrop, who was a strong champion of the first Republic of Georgia and the UK’s first Chief Commissioner to Georgia and South Caucasus from 1919 to 1921. Sir Oliver Wardrop is credited with having made a great contribution to the promotion of Georgian culture and literature.

The Georgian delegation concludes its UK visit tomorrow.